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The number of Koreans suffering from sleep-related problems has increased nearly five times over the past eight years, a government report said yesterday.
According to the National Health Insurance Corporation, a total of 228,000 sleep patients visited hospitals last year, up 4.5 times from 51,000 in 2001.
The increase was more apparent among women in their 20s, with their figure growing 6.7 times during the same period. Symptoms of sleep disorders were 1.5 times more common in women than in men.
Common sleep disorders include: primary insomnia, chronic difficulty in falling asleep and/or maintaining sleep; bruxism, involuntarily grinding or clenching of the teeth while sleeping; delayed sleep phase syndrome, inability to awaken and fall asleep at socially acceptable times but no problem with sleep maintenance; and hypopnea syndrome, abnormally shallow breathing or slow respiratory rate while sleeping.
Experts say several social and psychological factors could possibly prevent people from sleeping well.
"Due to the recent economic and job crisis, more people are experiencing anxieties about an uncertain future, pressure and mental illness such as obsessive-compulsion disorder. With lifestyles becoming varied, a growing number of shift-workers and travelers with jet-lag also show symptoms related to sleep disorders," said Park Sang-jin, doctor at the NHIC Ilsan Hospital.
Some medicines that affect the nerve system and irregular eating habits also could lead to sleep problems, Park added.
Despite the recent surge in sleep problems, many Koreans still hesitate to seek medical help or counseling because it is widely considered a taboo here.
"Sleep problems cannot be improved without intentional effort. If the causes are not verified, medicines or conventional remedies may deepen the symptoms further. People having difficulty in sleeping should see a doctor for close examination," Park said.
Saying some changes in lifestyle are helpful to improve the symptoms, Park offered several tips that include: getting up at a regular time; avoiding taking a nap or lying down during the daytime; doing other activities when feeling uneasiness; lying down as long as the usual sleeping time; refraining from doing exercise after 7 p.m. as it could stimulate the brain functions and cause insomnia; and avoiding overeating, painkillers, alcohol and beverages containing caffeine such as coffee, tea and cola..
(jylee@heraldm.com)
By Lee Ji-yoon
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